Football
Football

Injured Schweinsteiger has no Euro 2016 fears

BERLIN, February 25 – Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger says there is zero chance of him missing June’s European championships in France as the Manchester United star recovers from a knee ligament injury.

The 31-year-old has been sidelined since the start of January with a torn medial ligament, but expects to be able to begin running again in the coming days at United and has no concerns about missing Euro 2016 which starts on June 10.

“Unless the European championships is suddenly brought forward to the start of March, then it looks good,” Schweinsteiger told German daily Bild.

“A medial ligament tear takes time, but everything is healing well. I know my body, everything will be ok.

“In about five days, I’ll begin to start running again and five days after that I should be training with a ball again.

“I should be completely back on board in March.”

Schweinsteiger, who has won 114 Germany caps, hopes to return for the Red Devils in the coming weeks and should be fit for Germany’s home friendlies against England in Berlin on March 26 and Italy in Munich on March 29.

Ex-Germany captain Oliver Kahn says Schweinsteiger must prove his form after a disjointed last 18 months.

He has played in just six of Germany’s 15 games since the World Cup final, while in his 27 games for United this season, he has completed the 90 minutes in just 11.

“It’s all about whether Bastian can do the job at the top level. He wants to be a European champion, but it’s obvious that if he wants to play a leading role, he needs to get into gear quickly,” Kahn told Sport Bild.

Germany coach Joachim Loew says he is in regular contact with his captain and has “no concerns” about his fitness for the tournament in France, but Schweinsteiger says there should be no discussion about whether he is still good enough for Germany.

“Despite suspension and injury, I have still managed to play in 27 games this season,” said the veteran.

“Things could have gone better, but this discussion is already very laborious.”

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